The Complexity of the E-waste Problem
What is e-waste – and why is it an issue?
SBC e-Waste Africa Project
Secretariat of the Basel Convention
e-Waste @ Empa
■ Since 20 years Empa assists e-waste management systems in
Switzerland and abroad (e-Waste Team 8 / 800)
■ Auditing and R&D for the Swiss system operators SENS, SWICO
■ Representing Switzerland in the forum of the European e-waste takeback systems (European WEEE Forum)
■ Leading the task force “Recycling” of the UN initiative “Solving the Ewaste Problem (StEP)”
■ Leading cooperation projects with partners in Africa, Asia and Latin
America
■ Related research
© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009
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International cooperation in e-waste management
Guiyu
Dakar
Bangalore
Bogotá
© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009
Cape 3Town
Sustainable Recycling Industries
(new programme funded by Swiss SECO))
Capacity Building
Policies & Standards for Responsible Recycling (global)
India
South Africa
Hazardous substances in
(WEEE) plastics
Recycling of cooling and freezing
appliances
Ghana & Egypt
Sustainable management of e-waste
Life Cycle Inventories (Brazil, Egypt, India, South Africa)
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What is e-waste?
■ E-waste = WEEE = Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment
■ According to the EU WEEE Directive, e-waste can be:
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Key message 1
E-waste is the fastest groing waste
stream
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E-waste is the fastest groing waste stream
2012 total:
~45 mln tonnes
Source: Huisman 2012
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Developing countries are becoming large e-waste
producers as well
■ Estimated future computer waste generation for Tanzania
900'000
future massflow trends
800'000
No. of computers
700'000
exponential growth
~9500 tonnes of
computer waste
600'000
500'000
400'000
linear growth
300'000
~3000 tonnes of
computer waste
200'000
100'000
0
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
potential e-waste generation
2012
2014
potential e-waste generation
Source: Magashi and Schluep 2011
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Example e-waste generation in Nigeria / Ghana
Breakdown of
imports
new
Breakdown of
WEEE arising
Domestic
e-waste
Approx 650,000 tonnes
E-waste from used
EEE of unclear
quality
Approx 350,000 tonnes
directly imported ewaste
Approx 250,000 tonnes
(~5% of WEEE in EU15)
used - good quality
used - bad quality
broken / repairable
broken / not
repairable
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Source: SBC 2012
Key message 2
E-waste can contain hazardous
substances and its improper treatment
leads to adverse effects for human
health and the environment
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Hazardous substances in EEE
Substance
Occurence in EEE
Possible adverse effects
PBDEs, PBBs
Flame retardants in plastics
Hormonal effects, under thermal treatment possible
formation of dioxines and furanes
Polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCB)
Condensers, transformers
Cancer, effects on the immune system, reproductive
system, nervous system, endocrine system and other
health effects
Chlorofluorocarbon
(CFC)
Cooling units, insulation foam
deleterious effect on the ozone layer -> increased incidence
of skin cancer / genetic damage
Americium (Am)
Smoke detectors
radioactive element
Antimony
Flame retardants in plastics
carcinogenic potential
Arsenic
gallium arsenide inlight emitting
diodes
skin diseases, decrease nerve conduction velocity, lung
cancer
Barium
Getters in CRT
brain swelling, muscle weakness, damage to the heart, liver
and spleen
Cadmium
NiCd-batteries, fluorescent layer
(CRT screens), printer inks and
toners
symptoms of poisoning (weakness, fever, headache, chills,
sweating and muscular pain), lung cancer and kidney
damage
Chromium VI
Data tapes, floppy-disks
irritating to eyes, skin and mucous membranes, DNA
damage
Lead
CRT screens, batteries, printed
wiring boards
vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, coma or even death,
appetite loss, abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue,
sleeplessness, irritability and headache
Mercury
Fluorescent lamps, some alkaline brain and liver damage
batteries, switches
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© Empa/Switzerland, 20 July 2009
Improper treatment of e-waste
(e.g. India / China)
Issues related to improper treatment of e-waste
Ref: Sepúlveda, A, Schluep M, et al. 2010. A review of the environmental fate and effects of hazardous substances released from electrical and electronic equipments during
recycling: Examples from China and India. Environmental Impact Assessment Review. 30(1):28–41.
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Example dioxine emissions from cable burning
■ Dioxine emission from cable
burning is one of the main issues
in many developing countries
■ Observation Accra/Ghana
■
■
~200 kg cable are burnt per hour
10-20% from e-waste
(rest mainly from cars)
■ Extrapolated to West Africa
3-7 % of total European Dioxine
emissions to air
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Key message 3
E-waste contains valuable resources
which offers opportunities for urban
mining and job creation
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At least 57 elements are used in EEE
Nicht gleich Wert
(Source: Behrendt et al. 2007)
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Opportunities in e-waste
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Primary vs. secondary ore deposits
Secondary Ore
[g/t]
Device
PWB
Gold
9
280
1’400
Palladium
5
73
370
Platinum
3
3
14
Gallium
100
23
118
Lithium
7’000-20’000
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10’000-20’000 (Battery)
Source: Empa, Graedel
Primary Ore
[g/t]
Conclusion
■ Key message 1:
E-waste is the fastest groing waste stream
■ Key message 2:
E-waste can contain hazardous substances and its improper
treatment leads to adverse effects for human health and the
environment
■ Key message 3:
E-waste contains valuable resources which offers
opportunities for urban mining and job creation
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Thank you!
Dr. Mathias Schluep
Empa
Lerchenfeldstrasse 5
9014 St.Gallen
SWITZERLAND
mathias.schluep@empa.ch
Technology & Society Lab:
www.empa.ch/tsl
Swiss e-Waste Programme:
www.ewasteguide.info
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